Alarm clock synchronized with an electric coffeemaker

Abstract

A system, including an alarm which is synchronized with a coffeemaker, is used to coordinate wake-up time with coffee brewing time. In one embodiment of the invention, the alarm includes an alarm timer, an alarm controller, alarm input (e.g., dial or button), a speaker, circuitry for sound generation and a display. A user sets the alarm timer, and the speaker is capable of providing a sound to wake the user at the set time. The circuitry for sound generation is capable of generating a tone and transmitting the tone with the same speaker. This tone is transmitted to an electric coffeemaker which includes, a tone receptor (e.g., microphone and amplifier), and coffee brewing circuitry. The tone receptor receives the tone generated by the alarm and forwards related data to the coffee brewing circuitry. The coffee brew cycle is activated in response. The alarm may be an alarm clock radio and the speaker may transmit an ultrasonic or audible tone. Moreover, activation of the brew cycle may be programmed to occur at a specific time before or after the wake-up time.

1. A system for coordinating alarm time and coffee brew time, comprising:
 a. an alarm comprising:
 i. an alarm timer capable of being set by a user; 
 ii. an alarm controller, 
 iii. an alarm input means; 
 iv. a speaker 
 v. sound generation means capable of generating a signal tone and transmitting the signal tone with the speaker; and 
 vi. an alarm display, 
 vii. wherein the speaker is capable of providing a wake sound to wake the user; and 
 
 b. an electric coffeemaker comprising:
 i. tone reception means capable of receiving the signal tone and forwarding the signal tone; 
 ii. tone detection means capable of receiving the signal tone from the tone reception means and capable of sending related data; and 
 iii. coffee brewing means capable of receiving the related data and capable of activating a brew cycle in response to the related data. 
 
 
   
   
     2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the alarm input means is at least one of a dial and a button. 
   
   
     3. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the sound generation means comprises radio reception circuitry and tone generation circuitry. 
   
   
     4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tone reception means comprises a microphone and amplification means. 
   
   
     5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tone detection means comprises circuitry that detects a signal tone of a particular frequency. 
   
   
     6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the coffee brewing means comprises circuitry for activating the brew function in the electric coffeemaker. 
   
   
     7. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal tone is an ultrasonic signal. 
   
   
     8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal tone is audible. 
   
   
     9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the alarm is an alarm clock radio device. 
   
   
     10. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user programs the alarm to generate the wake sound at a programmed alarm time and wherein the user programs the alarm to send the signal tone at the programmed alarm time. 
   
   
     11. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user programs the alarm to generate the wake sound at a programmed alarm time and wherein the user programs the alarm to send the signal tone before the programmed alarm time. 
   
   
     12. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user programs the alarm to generate the wake sound at a programmed alarm time and wherein the user programs the alarm to send the signal tone after the programmed alarm time. 
   
   
     13. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electric coffeemaker starts the brew cycle immediately upon receipt of the related data. 
   
   
     14. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electric coffeemaker starts the brew cycle a certain amount of time after receipt of the related data signal, wherein the certain amount of time was preprogrammed into the electric coffeemaker by the user. 
   
   
     15. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electric coffeemaker uses ground coffee. 
   
   
     16. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electric coffeemaker uses coffee beans, and the coffee beans are ground when the brew cycle is activated. 
   
   
     17. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electric coffeemaker further comprises a water reservoir, and wherein water is first poured into the reservoir by the user before the brew cycle is activated. 
   
   
     18. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electric coffeemaker further comprises an inlet valve for water from a water supply line, and wherein water flows into the electric coffeemaker through the inlet valve from the water supply line.